World War 1 time lines – Chris Selwyn's Meanderings

These timelines were distilled from war diaries and books relating to the regiments and the personal memoirs of Reginald & Donald Hunt.

Reggie (Left) and Donald (Right)

1914

August 31

Mobilisation of the 1st Battalion King’s Dragoon Guards

While in Lucknow, the 1st Battalion King’s Dragoon Guards receive the order to mobilise for action in support of the British war effort in Europe. They sail from Bombay.

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November 6

The King’s Dragoon Guards arrive in France

The King’s Dragoon Guards progress through France to the Western Front.

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December 31

War diary for 1st King’s Dragoon Guards

Signed by J.M. Bell Smyth Lieut. Col. Commanding K.D.Gds

1915

January 8

The 1st King’s Dragoon Guards goes into action

The 1st King’s Dragoon Guards first action in the front is at Festubert.

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February 1

Marking time

The whole period from Feb to the end of May was spent moving around an area between Bethune and Rincq in readiness for action but not actually in action. They furnished a couple of sets of working parties at Fontaine les Hermans and Robecq.

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April 26

Promoted captain in the 2nd Transvaal Scottish

Donald Rolfe Hunt is appointed as captain of “F” company, 2nd Transvaal Scottish.

The Transvaal Scottish are involved at the battle of Trekkopjes in the South West Africa Campaign of 15th September 1914 to 9th July 1915.

May 28

Attack and defence of Hooge Château

Attack on Hooge Château commenced on 1 June. Germans counter-attacked and retook the Château itself but British managed to retain the stables.

Major R.S. Hunt wounded in Zouave Wood on the way to the attack on the Château.

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August 23

While Reggie was recuperating

While Reggie was recuperating in England, 1st King’s Dragoon Guards were involved in support action in trenches near Authuille between 23rd and 31st August.

September 1

The South Africa Brigade is raised

1st South African Brigade raised at Potchefstroom, South Africa

The brigade is led by Major-General Sir Henry Timson ‘Tim’ Lukin who had been Donald’s commanding officer in the Cape Mounted Rifles back in 1898.

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October 17

The South African Brigade in England

Officers of the 4th Battalion South African Infantry in training at Bordon Camp. Major Donald Hunt is 3rd from right in the back row.

After sailing to England from South Africa, the South African Brigade assembles at Bordon Camp in Hampshire.

In his memoirs, Reggie records “I happened to be in England, in Hospital, when your Father came over with the South African Scottish; I went over + saw him at Richmond”. This must have been while Reggie was recuperating from wounds received in Zouave Wood on 31 May as part of the operation on Hooge Chateau.